Today's Creation Moment

Mar

31

How Many Smells Can You Smell?

Psalm 45:8

"All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad."

Until recently it was commonly thought that humans can smell approximately 10,000 different odors. But that's no longer thought to be true. So how many different odors can that nose in the middle of...

CHRISTIANITY - WILL IT BLEND?

Submitted by stevejs on Mon, 2010-06-21 14:17

The outrageous "Will It Blend?" videos on YouTube are causing quite a sensation. In each of the videos, a man in a white lab coat places an object into a blender and turns it on, demolishing iPods, Bic lighters, golf balls, Coke cans, a pair of Nikes, and many other items. In the latest video, he smashes a brand new Apple iPad into millions of tiny pieces – approximately the same number as the people who have watched the video. The only object they weren't able to "blend" was a crowbar. They didn't even try.

Though the videos are humorous, they remind us of something that's really quite serious. Many people throughout history have tried to blend Christianity with other religions to make it more acceptable to people of other faiths. But all they end up doing is stripping Christianity of its power, its truth and its Savior. By placing the Bible and Christianity into the "blender" of atheistic assumptions, they think they'll be successful at making its truths more palatable and easier for others to accept. But as with the crowbar, they are foolish for even trying.

Webster's dictionary defines "syncretism" as "the combination of different forms of belief or practice." From the very earliest days of Christianity, syncretism has been a blight on orthodox, biblical Christianity. It has taken many forms and has infiltrated the church for thousands of years. Even today there are people who are trying to blend the "Bible" with "evolution" – as in theistic evolution.

Without knowing it, most Christians have "blended" their beliefs with the belief systems and practices of non-Christians. That's why it's so important for us to examine the things we believe as well as the traditions we practice – placing them not in a blender but under the "microscope" of the Word of God.

If it blends, it's bad.

Comments

I would have to agree that if it blends it's bad. Jesus Christ said I am the way the truth and the life, not I am one of many ways, truths, and lifes. It seems to me in the book of Revelation he says that he does not like us to be lukewarm like some or he will spit us out.

Submitted by Allen (not verified) on Thu, 2010-06-24 21:10.

If the plain sense makes sense, don't look for any other sense, lest you wind up with nonsense.

Science is supposed to be "tentative". One of the most reliable, most scientific statements about reality is, "There's more." More than is scientifically known. Science should not be allowed to rule the meaning of a document we call "The Word of God".

Submitted by Pam (not verified) on Fri, 2010-06-25 13:17.

This article describes how I feel about my family members who are Catholic. The traditions blended in with the Word of God. Religion rather than relationship. That is the background I come from. I was a good Catholic girl and tried so hard to measure up. When I messed up Jesus was there waiting for me. He made a way for me to be at peace with God. I repented of my sin. I received forgiveness. I am saved and set free! The Catholic traditions that once bound me have lost their grip. I am as a Berean now, studying the Word for myself because I can and I must. The Word of God is life to me! I thirst for it and hunger for it. Only the bible satisfies that kind of appetite.

Submitted by Mike (not verified) on Thu, 2010-09-23 12:33.

Amen Sister!

Submitted by MTM (not verified) on Fri, 2010-06-25 14:05.

So many people today want the gospel message to be a personal smorgasbord from which they can pick and choose. They like the idea that the Lord loves them unconditionally, so they accept that, even though the Lord has made it clear that there are conditions. Repentance and obedience to his laws are required. But lots of people don't like that, so they just keep on thinking that the Lord is going to make up for what they lack when they don't even bother to keep his commandments.

If we really kept the law — which is to love the Lord with all our hearts, might, and souls — we wouldn't be so focused on getting exactly what we want. Instead, we would be focused on what the Lord wants. That's really what matters after all.

Submitted by April (not verified) on Fri, 2010-06-25 14:11.

In this day of marketing, when the consumer's opinion means everything, some people have gotten the idea that they can make demands on the Lord to tailor the gospel just for them. They like the idea of being able to follow the culture, to enjoy its sophistication and lifestyle, but they don't like the idea of humbling themselves before the Almighty God, Jesus Christ. They think they can pick and choose what gospel truths they want to accept. If they choose not to believe that there is a hell, for example, they will insist that their belief is valid even though the Bible clearly stipulates that hell is a real consequence for disobedience. "A good God wouldn't consign us to eternal suffering," they say. They entirely miss the point that a good God doesn't force you to go to heaven. You choose for yourself whether or not you will dwell with God by whether or not you will obey his laws.

Submitted by Mike (not verified) on Thu, 2010-09-23 12:32.

Just exactly what law do you mean? Just what is "GOD"S' Law? I do know, I hope you do as well. Please forgive the offensive way I ask this.

Submitted by Marcos arreguin (not verified) on Wed, 2010-12-01 20:11.

Jesus and God's laws the commandments that Jesus gave us on the mount, Love thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul, love your self as your neighbor, the two main laws or commandments that Jesus wants us to follow, there's also do not kill, look at a woman lustfully, don't covet thy neighbor's wife, thou shall not steal. Let me make it clear and more explainable. you must repent and get baptized and must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he rose from the dead the third day, confess it and believe in your heart and you will have eternal life. Just be good and do the will of God which is telling the good news of freedom of sin through Jesus Christ our Savior. Romans 13:18 For whosoever shall call the name upon the Lord shall be saved. Can't get no plainer than that. Believe in Jesus and in God also and you will have eternal life.

Submitted by J.C. (not verified) on Fri, 2010-06-25 14:19.

People seem to have missed the fact that we're not in charge. The Lord is. Imagine what chaos there would be if the Lord really did operate on opinion. If you disagree with the gospel message that today is the day of repentance, for example, you could overthrow all righteousness by making wickedness acceptable. If you were of the opinion that repentance is unnecessary, you then could argue at the Judgment seat that, in your opinion, God's laws were not applicable to you specifically. Then, no matter what you did, you would be free to go.

Do you think our righteous Judge is going to change his law because of your ignorant and selfish opinions? Hardly! Neither is he going to excuse law-breakers who give him lip service and then run around living contrary to his laws.

Just because the culture says it's O.K. doesn't mean it's O.K. with God. Culture excuses all kinds of abomination, such as the slave trade, injustice, and whoredom. But no matter what the culture says, these things are still condemned by God. And you can better believe they will be punished.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2011-03-31 10:37.

Yes, I know God would never approve of the slave trade! Never mind that the Bible actually gives instructions on how hard you can beat your slave... Basically, it's not okay if he dies right away, but if he survives a couple days and then dies, it's fine.

"And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property."

Submitted by F. Friday (not verified) on Fri, 2010-06-25 14:24.

You can't blend Christianity. It is the truth, and the truth, once adulterated, is no longer pure. We can't import all the various false gods and idols into Christianity and embrace the "diversity" of false worship. Ignorant people of the past bowed down to the workmanship of their own hands, but we have seen where that leads. There are consequences for running after falsehood. Just look at all the corruption and evil around us, all the product of men's rebellion against God. Christ's church needs to follow his word, not the doctrines of men. Men's ways are full of error. Only in the ways of our righteous God — the one true and living God, Jesus Christ — can men be saved.

Exceptional site, where did you come up with the knowledge in this piece of writing? I'm happy I found it though, ill be checking back soon to see what other articles you have.

Submitted by James Dolezel (not verified) on Sun, 2010-06-27 19:37.

The basic tenets of evolution are atheistic in nature. Even Darwin, who was once studying to be a minister, forsook God and became an atheist. He was desperate to create a world that did not have anything to do with God as a creator. In short, he worshiped the creation and not the Creator. Like in all things, you can only serve one God. One must choose between evolution (which is the worship of self, i.e., we are gods) or the true Creator. Jesus Himself said that man cannot serve two masters. God is a jealous God, who wants us to worship Him only and not the other gods of the world.

Submitted by Chris Seibel (not verified) on Wed, 2010-08-18 19:14.

I completely agree that Christianity and any other religion or evolution cannot agree or work in harmony together. We may work in a worldly setting, but it doesn't mean that our Christianity must take a back seat to others views. We have a right to live our Christianity and be ready to tell others why we believe what we do. We have a right to pray for others in our workplace, and believe me, after a few struggles in their lives, knowing that you are a believer, they will come to you for prayer. Have had many such instances, and I praised the dear LORD for them always.

It can also cause you to have more struggles in the work place, as I have had in the past. Some don't like the fact that you don't snigger with them about cruel and dirty stories and jokes. They call you holier than thou, etc. This is all right, and I learned long ago, as a very young Christian, that I didn't mind being excluded from these practices and groups, as I was following what the LORD wanted me to do. It would be harder on someone who isn't grounded in the faith yet, though, and I feel and encourage those that are young or are a new Christian, to continue to follow what Jesus wants you to do, no matter what others say. Blending isn't always a good thing, especially when you are a true Christian.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 2011-03-31 10:40.

Nowhere in the theory of evolution is there anything that suggests that we are gods. Evolution isn't something that has to be worshiped any more than gravity is, it's simply scientific fact. What's wrong with the idea that God created us using guided evolution, and that Genesis is a metaphorical account? After all, would the ancient people really be able to understand evolution? God put it to them in a way that they could understand.

Submitted by Baher (not verified) on Wed, 2012-07-18 09:30.

Which came first? The Chicken or egg argument, or crteoian vs. evolution? Its a never ending quest.Our perception and understanding of the world in which we exist is not capable of answering this question accurately. Everything we know is based on cause and effect. Everything happens because of something else, etc. We are unable to imagine or comprehend something coming from nothing.This is where both science and religion break down. They both eventually lead to, well where did that come from? If God created us, who created God. If it is a random science happening, where did all the stuff come from in the first place?

We live in an overly litigated society, where one can pursue legal actions against a fast food chain because you spilled your own coffee on yourself, or charge another fast food chain because you are overweight from eating there too often and so on.

Furthermore, as a recent graduate of University where I studied psychology and some sociology. The majority of the teaching was to lay the blame somewhere else. Nearly all theories or hypotheses teach that nothing is our own fault. It's either your parents' (family) or society's fault for any shortcomings you may have. And so when Christianity teaches the word of God, direct from the Bible I might add, and tells people they should accept responsibility for their own actions, well of course that doesn't go over well. It's easier for people to blame Mom or Dad and say it's because they didn't or did do this or that and that's why I behave this way. It's easier to blame someone else than to say I made the wrong decision. In fact it goes back as far as Adam and Eve, paraphrasing, "It's not my fault, it's Satan's" or "it's the Woman's fault" etc. That said, Christianity does not allow this as an excuse and so it's not surprising (though quite sad) that many cannot and will not accept the entire Gospel as is. This is why people only accept certain parts of the Bible. If they did, then they would admit they are wrong. And today "no one is wrong", they "simply have a difference of opinion" or they "see things in a different way".

Unfortunately that's what we are up against. And I must admit that it is tempting at times to fall into that trap. However, whenever we can with those we love and ourselves we must fight that temptation to blame others and of course we must teach those we love the truth of the Bible. From beginning to end.

Submitted by Chance Perkins (not verified) on Thu, 2010-09-30 20:52.

I enjoy watching the History Channel. At times, they expose archealogical sites and confirm bible text. Being a comic book fan, I have taken an interest in their program called "Super Humans". One of the "Super Humans", named Juan Reuz (I think), was born completely blind. Amazingly, Juan clicks his tongue and uses echo location. When Juan was introduced on the episode, he rode a bicycle up to the interviewer. Juan was put to a battery of tests, one of which he was taken to a cave where he met a bat scientist. Juan clicked his way though the cave, identified when the path split and even stated where the wall of the cave sloped. The bat expert was amazed and stated as fact that Juan had exactly the same gift as the bats that resided there. Juan was taken to a busy street. There Juan Identified a trashcan and he positively identified a phonebooth. Juan also navigated his bicycle through a maze of cars. To my disappointment, the History Channel said Juan's amazing ability was equal to that of bats which took millions of years to evolve ... with the hard evidence staring them in the face that such a gift was instantly practical for Juan, making the evolutionary millions of years theory crumble like a stack of cards. God is an amazing creator who has endowed us with amazing gifts without a man's theory of evolution and its pollution of the minds of America.